Launching the Feed the Future Indonesia Sustainable Cooperative Agribusiness Alliance (SCAA) project on Monday this week, NCBA CLUSA is continuing its work to end extreme poverty in the agriculture sector of Indonesia. Following the success of the Indonesia Cooperative Business Development Alliance project (ICBDA), this new $2 million project will work with over 5,000 smallholder farmers for three years, through 2020.
Below is a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia from March 6, 2017:
USAID and the National Cooperative Business Association Connect Thousands of Small Farmers in Eastern Indonesia to International Markets
JAKARTA – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the $2 million Sustainable Cooperative Agribusiness Alliance (SCAA) to improve long-term and sustainable small farmer livelihood opportunities in eastern Indonesia. The alliance will receive an additional $2 million in matched funding from the Cooperative Business International (CBI Global) and its partners. The project seeks to expand the capacity of local farmers and government officials in Papua and North Maluku provinces to access better planting materials, sustainably produce and process high-value crops, and connect to international markets.
“Indonesia is the largest global producer of spices. Through this project, USAID aims to help more farmers in Papua and North Maluku improve the sustainability of spices production and enjoy the economic benefits of a shorter producer-to-buyer supply chain in the global market,” said U.S. Ambassador Joseph R. Donovan Jr.
Furthermore, by strengthening agriculture cooperatives and partners, SCAA will also advance private-sector sustainability initiatives. By working with farmers to improve their agricultural skills and processing techniques, the project will help them increase their harvests and the quality of their high-value products, such as vanilla, pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Farmers will benefit from higher yields and receive higher incomes. The reduced pressure to expand into new production areas can help slow the rate of land degradation. Improved knowledge and experience about efficient crop production will empower farmers to develop self-sustaining for-profit businesses.
The SCAA is a follow up to the Indonesia Cooperative Business Development Alliance (ICBDA) project. USAID and the National Cooperative Business Association partner to end extreme poverty and promote a more resilient and prosperous Indonesia. In 1984, the two organizations established CBI Global, a current industry leader that connects coffee and spice farmers to more than 160 companies in over 40 countries. CBI’s Indonesia affiliate, PT AgriSpice Indonesia, is the region’s major spice processor/exporter and the global sourcing partner of McCormick & Company in Indonesia. CBI partner Nimboran Kencana Coop works directly with spice farmers in Papua.
For more information, visit www.usaid.gov/indonesia or contact Swiny Andina at jakartadocs@usaid.gov or 21 3435 9000.
Learn more about NCBA CLUSA’s current work in Indonesia, including the CoopWASH project and the previous ICBDA project.